International travel can be a daunting idea for many people for a variety of reasons: pricing, long travel times, language barriers, and more. However, it can sometimes be impossible for people with disabilities to travel internationally.
However, this is not necessarily the case. Cory Lee is an accessible travel blogger at CurbFreeWithCoryLee.com, where he writes about his personal experiences in wheelchairs at home and abroad. Vacationing in the Bahamas as a teenager sparked his desire to see the rest of the world, and he made traveling not only his passion, but his career as well.
ADVERTISING
“I would encourage any new traveler to start small and prepare for bigger trips. Take a weekend trip to a nearby town. This is a great way to familiarize yourself with accessibility requirements. Then you could take a quick plane trip to familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of air travel with a disability, ”said Lee.
“As soon as you feel comfortable, you can travel internationally and are much better prepared and feel more confident in your abilities. There are also tons of resources online to better prepare you for travel. Some of my favorites are accessible travel blogs and Facebook groups (Accessible travel club is great!) ”he said.
Not only does Lee start small, but he also emphasizes the importance of knowing what each traveler needs to focus on in terms of accessibility. Whether it’s finding accessible tours or making a handy list of nearby hospitals in an emergency, the internet can provide a wealth of information for avid researchers.
“When I travel internationally, I think the most important thing is to have a positive attitude and to expect the unexpected. Something will go wrong on almost every trip, especially as a wheelchair user. In this case, it’s important to keep calm and know that there is a solution to every problem, ”he said. “Be prepared to do as much research as you can before you travel. This may include looking for wheelchair repair shops in the destination and having this list on hand, or knowing various available transportation companies in case you need alternative modes of transport quickly.”
Travel insurance is also incredibly important for those with pre-existing conditions, but not all travel insurance plans are created equal or even cover pre-existing conditions.
“I think travel insurance is important for every traveler, but especially for people with disabilities. I use the Allianz Reiseversicherung’s annual plan, which covers existing conditions. It has proven worthwhile to pay the annual fee. In 2019, I suffered a fractured skull while traveling in New Mexico. Without travel insurance, I would have been stuck with some huge hospital bills, ”said Lee.
According to the latest CDC data, 61 million Americans live with a disability, which is roughly one in four people.
The Open Doors Organization In 2018 and 2019, 27 million Americans with disabilities made 81 million trips and spent $ 58.7 billion on their travel expenses. People with disabilities play an important role in the travel and tourism industries, and it is of paramount importance to give them the knowledge and ability to travel where they want.
This is where travel advisors come into play. Travel advisors, as the title suggests, can advise people with disabilities on the best travel insurance plans, accessible tours, modes of transport, and even accommodations that meet the client’s specific needs. You can also take the pressure off the client to take these important factors off their shoulders.
As a consultant, it is important to understand exactly what challenges customers with disabilities face so that they can successfully plan a vacation without any problems: “The word“ accessible ”means something different for everyone with a disability. It is important to ask specifically what each person needs in terms of accessibility, rather than just assuming that what is accessible to one person is accessible to all, ”Lee said.
David W. Hartman, luxury travel advisor at Fantastic Endeavours, Inc., is also an accessible travel attorney. “Consultants have access to resources beyond what is offered to travelers. Our preferred relationship with suppliers is critical to getting the right type of accessible accommodation or service for the traveler, ”said Hartman.
Traveling abroad with a disability is not impossible. It simply presents challenges that can be solved in combination with the knowledge of an experienced travel advisor.
